Apparatus for applying sheet material to boxes



Nov. 18, l94'l..' w. T. BAILEY 2,262,788

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO BOXES Filed Jan. 18, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet l f M; "W: 3 B51, I v '1 E273 K'I'TORNEY Nov. 18, 1941. w. T. BAILEY APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO BOXES Filed Jan. 18, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nye: V 7 Mb! @122 ATTORNEY Nov. 18', 1941.

w. T. BAILEY APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO BOXES '7 Shee'ts-Shee t 3 Filed Jan. 18, 19 10 I ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR APPLYING MATERIAL TO BOXES Filed Jan. 18, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATToNE Y Nov. 18, 1941.- w. T. BAILEY 2,262,738 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO BOXES Filed Jan. 18, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 P4 6? v1 7019. J

.INVENTOR mxaw ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1941. w. T. BAILEY APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO BOXES 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 18, 1940 V a T. L QN Q N n m 0M N Am ANN PM WI hm m QY \NN QNN 1m V NM. 7 .E wwwww K 7 w QR m %m w w v 1 @Amw mm E WW m II III. NH 2 I m. V I V/ A wfififlww m C QHI US HHHHHHHHHHHH a VW lllnlllll jacent the discharge end of the Patented Nov. 18, 1941 N ITED arram'rus "Fort ArrLYmG SHEET MATERIAL 'ro BOXES Walter T. BailemPhiladelphia, Pa., assignor to Stokes and Smith Company, Summerdale, Philadelphia, Pa.,-'a corporation of, Pennsylvania,

Application January 18, 1

(c1. sa -40') For an understanding of my invention, and for illustration of a preferred system and apparatus," reference'is made to the accompanyingdrawings,

-' 31 Claims.

My invention relates to systems in which sheet material, such as wrappers, tabbed or untabbed, or tabs alone, is applied to box structures, stayed or unstayed, herein generically termed "boxes."

In accordance with one aspect of my invention, boxesare registered upon sheet material'to form assemblies transported to a' station at which walls or sides of each box, if unstayed, are erected, and from which station the assemblies are'in turn.- transferred, with box walls held erect to a station at which the sheet material is further applied. In accordance with another aspect of my invention, the transfer of boxes/is effected by 'carriage structure movable aboveand clear of the box-supporting surface, for example that of a conveyor, and from which depends a group of box-holding members; preferably, the box-holdingmembers embrace the front and rear corners of the box, and those members adapted to embrace the rear corners are lifted, during return of the carriage, to receive another box, so to permit positioning thereof for reception by the carriage before return movement of the carriage ,is completed- Further in accordance with my invention, boxes, or aforesaid assemblies, are transported by a conveyor into engagement witha movable stop which returns each box or assembly into position of alignment with a-formblockto which transferred by said carriage; preferably, the stop, when so returning an unstayed box, coactswith another movable member to erect one pair of walls of the box. 1

Further in accordance with my invention, a pair of walls of an unstayed box is erected by coaction of another wall-erecting member with one pair of aforesaid box-holding members, specifically that pair which engages the leading corners of thebox during transfer; preferably, a reciprocating member holds thev box .down against the conveyor .or other supporting surface during operation of the wall-erecting member or members.

More particularly, all box-engaging, .members clear the conveyor to permit passage, beyond a stop, of sheet chance, has not been assembled preferably, the sheet material having so passed beyond the stop, is removedfrom theconveyorf and disposed of, as by collection upon a roll adconveyor.

My invention further resides in the featuresof construction, combination, and, arrangement, hereinafter described and claimed. v

-material which, through mis-" with abox; and,

940, S erialNo. 314,375

in which: g i

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, partly insection, and with-parts broken away, of a complete machine embodying the invention; Fig. 1A, in perspective, shows significant ele-. ments of the machine disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view, on enlarged scale, of movable stop .and wall-erecting members shown in Figs. 1 andlA;

appearing in the prior figures;

i moved bythe. conveyor C, each in turnengages Fig. 2A shows parts appearing in Fig. 2, as viewed from the left thereof Fig. 2B shows parts appearing viewed from the right thereof;

Fig. 3 illustrates parts appearing another significant position;

Fig. 3A shows parts appearing in Fig. 3, as viewed from the left thereof;

Fig. 4 is a plan view on enlarged in Fig. 2 in scale of parts Figs. 5 and 6 are'end and front views,respectively, partly ;in section, of carriage-driving mechanism, in part shown in Figs. 1 and 4;

Fig. 7, on enlarged scale'and partly in section, shows carriage structure disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7A is a detail view showing box-holding structure of Fig. 7, as viewed from the left thereof; v

Fig. 8 is generally similar toFig. 7, but shows the parts in another position; I P

Fig. 8A is a detail view of a movable box-holding member of Fig. 8, as viewed from the left thereof;

and 8 in other significant positions;

Fig. 9A, in perspective. shows details of'the transfer carriage and driving mechanism there; 40 I i for;

Fig. 10A is a detail view, in top planand partly in section,'of elements shown in- Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 is a view, on enlarged scale, of the discharge end of the conveyor and collectingroll shown in Fig. 2.

, Referring to Flgs. 1 and 1A, the mechanism BF, for. transferring assemblies, each comprising an unstayed box B and a wrapper S, from conveyor C into the path of the form block Fof a wrapping'machine, comprises a pair of front carriers I, l', ap'air of rear carriers 2, 2, a movable stop 3,' blanks-restraining plunger--15, an end palm! and a side palm 6. *As the assemblies are stop 3 which, 'as hereinafter morefully explained,

Fig. 2, as

. mon

Suitably afteneach' assembly passes the' e palm '5, the latter is moved downwardly to the and the end-palm ,5.

' movesthe 'assembly in reverse directioninto po- 1 of alignment] with thefforrn=block struc' during the wall-erecting operations of the palms left; as viewedin' Fig. IA, to engage the rearwall RB of the' box structure and coactsjwith the stop 3, in" engagement with the front wa-llzFB of the box structure,'to bringboththe f ront and roller however; permits the blank B to move in contact with the'conveyor during the aforesaid l. aligning andiwallerecting operations.

rear walls FB, RB

into their erect boxfo'rming positions.

Substantially upon -completion ot'this'erection- :i 1 of the end walls of'the box .blank; B,- the'ffront";

carriers l," l moyefrom' 'the pos'ition shown-in Y Fig. 1A toward the position shown .1,jand substantially concurrently with this movement of the .front carriers, the side palm 3vdescends and moves toward them to efiect erection of. tl'iej 'v side walls on and an of the. box -blank B.

Thereupon the rear carriers 2,2 descend and move ltowards'thefront carriers to embrace the two corners of the box at the ends of then'o'w l erected sidewall BL. Thus the four'walls of the S unstayedbox" are ,brought to boxfsimulating p'ovsition and held therein by the four'ca'rriers which remain in fixed relation with respectto each 3 other'as they all move together as. a= unit to' v. transfer-I theassembly across the conveyor 0 into the .pathuof the form machineW., .7

The wrapping. machine disclosed is of the twoblock F of the wrapping stage or double-plunger, type disclosedi and claimedin U. s. Bailey Patent #1119380; it-is tobe'understood, however, that the mechanism BF for-erecting and 'feeding unstayed boxes may be. utilized. with. other types of wrappingma- 1 chines, for example,thoseof thesingle-plunger or single-stage type exemplified by U. S. Peder:

witz Patent #2,044,606.

The movements of the various of the mechanism'BEare derived from the'shaft I, Fig; 1, which makesonerevolution'; for: each cycle'of the wrapping m cnmsw; the .conne -g .4

p n machinew is hereinafterdescribed;

tion betweenshaft I and the drive for the wrap j.

1 Fordescription of the mechanism wl iich oper .at'es the plunger 4 and'the stopjl, reference is 1 made toFigs l, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4,7, 9 and-i0.

Referring tdFi'gs'. 1;;4 and 5, the bevel gear}.

at the upperf'endof shaft] meshes with a similar gear 3attac'hedto shaft l0 whichd'rives the cam shaft -jl' l through the gears l2, .l3 and". |'41 The grooveinfthe fa'ceof cam I5, oneof three cams cam rolle1 liiattached to t he'lev ejr 11. which, is

1 attached toshaftl 1,; r cei l cam follower shaft '20 whichpasses through the adjustable names: Land 22,which, as hereinafter described, 1

support-the-rear and front .'c'arriers v the stop 3,

1 To the shaft 2o intermediate messa 21, 22, 1 is attached-the arm 23 connected by link 24 to the clearlyinl ig-j 9, thelplunger is received by the b1ank-.-restraining plunger 25. As. appears most support the adjustable frames, 2|}. 22; the ends ofthe bars 21, 28 passthroughand are attached 1 to thestationary frame'members 29, 33 I wrapping 'machinewFigriv.

V The movements of the plunger'25 are so timed by the cam. l5 that it movesdownjto engage the bottom: panel of a box blank Rafter the leading' panel FB of the blank has passed beyond the path of reciprocation of the plunger; it remains down 15 and 'j6'to avoid any tendency for the box blank Ito raise-from thesurface of theconveyor when engagedbythesefiwall-erecting'members. Preferably,,as shown, the plunger 25 does .not engage the box directly but carries a heavy metal roller 3| whoseaxle 32 isreceived by vertical slots 33 in Ythebifurcated end-of the plunger25; when the plunger is iniits down position, the weight of thelroller-3lis entirely carried by the blank; the

4, Referring particularly to Figs.2, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 for illustration of the operating mechanism -for movablestop 3, the endof shaft 20 which extends mesh with aforesaid bevelgear 38. The forked arm 42 is. attachedat its upper end to the shaft 3'3 fandfbetweenits lower forked endispivotally' v mounted the arm 43 to whose lower end, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 2A, is attached the stop member 3. a The arm. 43; as most clearly appears in Fig. 2,

is mounted on pin extending between the forked end of the arm 42, and is also pivotally connected at 45 to the arm 48 supported at its upper end upon'the stationarypin "extending from the bracket member 4Il.

'As shaft 20 is oscillated, the stop 3'moves toward andfrom the positions shown in Figs. 2

and 3. The timing of the movements of stop 3 by cam 15 is such that, as above explained, it is engaged by the box structure while moving with conveyor'Cbeyond the position from which it is transferred to the form block; by downward and angular movement of stop 3 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, each box blank is moved in reverse direction to position ot-exact alignment of its end walls with the ends of the form' block; Use of a fixed stopionalignment of the box structures is avoided because of tendency of the box'structure to rebound therefrom to indefinite position; by use of themovable stop 3,

even-if there is'rebounding, thestop 3 reengages the'box structure and moves it to the desired l position. I I

Whether or not a\box in moving with conveyor C fails to reach stop 3, the end palm 5 and stop 3 cooperate to erect the end walls of the box; if uns'tayed, and to align it with the form block. Preferably the stop 3 is always'soinewhat above the surface of the conveyor so that inevent there has been failure of registration of a box blank upon a wrapper being transported by the-convey or, the wrapper will pass below the stop; These unused" or waste wrappers are preferably disposed of by causing them to wind about the-roller 48 at the dischargeend of the conveyor C. Figs. 2

and 11. More particularly, the roller48 is supported by engagement of the ends of its shaft with theypivotally mounted supporting members 50, -50 at the discharge end of conveyor 0. The periphery, of the roller 48 ispreferably grooved -for retention of theedges of a sheet of paper wrapped about the roll to prevent engagement I of the coated surface of a wrapper-with the face of the roll. As an unused wrapper passes oil the end of conveyor C, its coated surface engages the paper-covered surface of the roller 48 which,

driven by engagement with the belt C, rolls or draws the wrapper about it. Roller 48 is biased toward the end of conveyor C by spring 48 coiled about rod 49A connected to one arm of bell crank lever 58 and slidable through the pivotally mounted block 493. From time to time the roller 48 may be removed from the machine'for disposition of the unused wrappers which have 9.0

cumulated upon it. I

Referring to Figs 1A, 2, 2B and 4 for illustration of the mechanism for operating the palms 5 and 8, the cam 5|, on shaft II, (Fig. 4) is provided with a groove in one face thereof to receive the cam roller 52, carried by the arm 53, pivotally mounted on pin I8. The'free end of the arm 581s connected by link 54 to arm 55 of a bell-crank lever whose other arm 58 is connected byrod 5'I to the arm 58 attachedv to shaft 59 which passes through the frame member 28 of the wrapping machine, frame member 2| of the box-transfer mechanism DB, and, as appears most clearly in Fig. 9, the plunger-supporting member 25.

To the shaft. 58, as most clearly appears in Figs. 4 and 9, there is attached arm 68 connected by slotted link 8| to the upper end of lever 82 supported upon the pin 68 which extends from a block 64 adjustable along the bar 65 extending from the plunger support .28. Thesupport 68 (Fig. 9) for the palm member 6 is pivotally .mounted intermediate its ends uponthe pin 61 supported at the lower end of the arm 82 and is pivotally connected at one end by pin 88 to the arm 89 pivoted at its upper end I8 upon the aforesaid adjustable block 84.

To-adi ust the side palm 8 to suit different widths of boxes, the set screw II is loosened to allow the block 64 to be moved along-the guide bar 85 to proper position; it is also necessary to loosen the clamping screw 12. for corresponding adjustment of the pivotal connection between the upper end of arm Ii2andthe slotted link 6|.

The palm 8 is so timed by the cam 5| that, as above explained, it moves downwardly and angularly in counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 9, to erect the side wall BL of a box blank which has been transported by conveyor scribed, engages the end-wall R3 of an unstayed box and moves it to its erected orbox-i'or'ming position; The palm 5 and stop 8 are returned ping machine.

U into position for transfer by the carriers I, I

and 2, 2. r g

The mechanism foreflecting operation of the end palm 5 is most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 2B and 3. The gear segment 13, slidablykeyed to shaft 59 for movement. with the frame 2|, is-continuously in mesh with the rack I4 of the vertically reciprocable member I5 whose upper end is guided by the projection I8 of the frame 2| and whose lower end is guided by the bracket TI attached to and extending from the frame 2|; the lower end of the member I5is provided with a rack I8 in mesh with the gear sector I9 attached to the shaft 88 supported by the bracket 11. mounted intermediate its ends upon the pin 82 carried by the arm 83 attached to shaft 88 and is pivotally connected at 84 to one'end of arm 85 whose other end is pivoted upon pin 88 extending from bracket 11. I

Accordingly, as the shaft 59 is oscillated, the

palm member 5 moves to and fro betweenthe position shown in Fig. 2, at which it is clear of the path of boxes moving toward the transfer station, and the positionshown in; Fig. 3. In moving from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3, the palm member 5, as previously de- The support 8| for the palm 5 is pivotally passes at right anglesitojconveyor '6 Each of the frames 2|, 22-supports a reciprocating carriage upon each of which is mounted one of the front carriers and.=the corresponding rear carrier; since those twocarriages are practically identical in construction, only one of them need be specifically described. v

Referring particularly to Figs. 7, 7A, 8, 8.8.9, 9A and 10,the pair of flat stripsor bars 81, 81 attached to frame 2| are spaced to provide a trackwayfor the grooved carriage member 88 to which is adjustably clamped the front car'- rier I. As more clearly shown in Fig. 7A, the

clamping bolt 88 passes through the front carrier I, the spacer 88, the slot 81A of carriage member88, andthreads into the clamping plate 8| of the other side of the. web of member 88. The block 82 for supporting the rear carrier 2 is similarly adjustably clamped to the carriage member 88, Fig. 10A. The holder or carrier 2 is. pivotally mounted upon one end of army whose other end is pivoted on pin. I28 extendingthrough plates' 82; The arm-"88 is adapted to be. swung about pivot pin I28 to raise and lower the carrier 2 by'mechanism hereinafter described. The supporting member 85 for the carrier 2 is pivotally connected to'the plates 82 by the link 88. v

The reciprocation of carriagemember 88 is derived from a chain 88' which passes over the sprocket arrangement is carried by the frame '2I for actuation of the other carriage member 88.

As shown in Fig. 5, the sprocket I 8| associated with frame 2|- is keyed to a stub shaft I82 extending through the frame, and to which.

is attached a gear I88 driven by gear |88flfs1idably keyed to shaft in: and attached to basics; I88" rotatable within frame 2|. V'Iheshaft extends through the stationary frame member 28 o the wrapping machine for. attachmentj i more of gear 18'! driven by gear |88 fon'-. -shaft 1.8.. As

more clearly appears'in Fig"!QQtiiegeaTs IIITand I 88 are mutilated 'gears providing "for loam-a tent drive of shaft Illf-airidftliriiffp chains 89, for continuous 'otat Sprocket 18 I associated-with 'i'a larly mounted accuse shone shaft I85 by anbthefpflr-df adjustable with frame'g22 as and away from "the dotted center line-Z' Zwhic h line of travel of form biockfl-F. 1"

Each of the chains 8 8 reconnected {to its associated carriage member 8853; 'alinkjI'88','Fig. 9A.

As the sprockets rotate, the "carri'ageqmembers 88 are moved in unisonbetween.their'boxfreceiving position,v Fig. m snotheir box-delivering position, Fig.-

A dwell of the carriage members at their boxreceiving position above thefconveyor C1 is-ID 70- vided by the intennittentgears: |8f 8 8i dwell of the, carriage members at their boxf-Rielivering position, Fig. '8, is provided, withoiit' interrup tion of movement of chains 88, by the construc tion of the, links m, 188. v v

Each of'the links,FIg..8A. essentially-emulate of two members having a resilient connection'beble stop I23 j of, 8

tween. them- Specifically, the link member IIO many: fl m ber as sidably recelvesitheilink member I II pivotally attached 1 -to,,the chain.9 8. 'I'he'spring II2, between the blockfll I3, attached to link member'l II and slid-' f able within the slot u or link member IIO,fand

anend' of the slot II4, provides for a yielding; connectionbetween the two link members III), III. 7.; v a l when the carriage members 88 arrive at their i box-delivering position, Fig. 8, each of them is,

arrested by a stop'memberl III attached to the 1 guide bars '81. The carriage-members 88 arrive? at this position when the pivot pin of linkmem- F I move with. it beyond the} path of return move 5 meat of, the front, box holders I, I.v

During the; transfer, rate thepath of form;

block 1:, or eachfas'sembly comprising a box structureBand partially jappliedwrapper S, the

leading unapplied panel 1LS"'01! the wrapper is] supported as it moves beyond the. side of the conveyor and over the platen P of the wrapping machine by] two pairs'ofjgrippers, each pair of; which is movable with one of the carriages88, 88.

Referring to Figs."7, 7A, 8, .9, 9A andll), the gripper-supporting member'IIB is slidably received by the extension I I1 01 the carriage mem-i ber 88. 'Upon the lower end of member I6 is' pivotally' mounted the movable gripper m'emberj IISA, biased by spring 8 toward, engagement, with thegripper roll ll3'rotatably mounted on al pin extending'from member H6 The spring 'I2I compressed be Fi 8; to effect engagement between the adJusta-P ipper slide. I IIi and the box Asxcarriagememberf" moves to thg lelft w' ward'the position shown; in Fig; '7; the pin 124,. flxedlyxattached to the gripper slide IIB, is arrested'by stop I25 attached to the framemember 22 so 'that 'for further movement of carriage'. member 88 to the left, to, the position'shown in Fig. 7, the gripper-supporting member H6 "is reholderv I.

strained in the position ,fshown in 17 with 60 spring m mpressed; as the'gripper, slide H6; moving with carriage approaches the positlonf shown in Fig. '7 ,the lower gripper member IIGA engages fastop, which conveniently may be the edge "of the suction housing for conveyor C, and is rocked" away from the upper gripper member IISupon continued movement of member H8 in counterclockwise direction about its pivot pin.

"As thecarri'a'ge' members as move tothe-rightj" with their box holder .l, I; and 2, 2 carrying be tween them" a, box and .wrapper assembly, the

edge of the leading unapplied panel Lsjof the wrapper S passes between the, separated; gripper elements USA, I Is; as movement oithe carriage continues, the gripper supports H8 are moved to p tweenthe block; I I22, "attached to the carriage extensionm'emberf Ill; and the; gripperfsupporting member H8; biasesthe latter towards the left, as'viewed in w the right, Fig-7, away from engagement with the.

suction housing, whereupon. the biasing springs H8 swing the movable grippers "8A to clamp theleading panel LS andypreventit from curling 5 ,or otherwise moving into engagement with the-- platen P, or any otherpart'of the wrapping machine, during transferof'the box and wrapper assembly tothe delivered positionshown in Fig. 8. As form block 'F descends, to. move the as- 'Fig; 8, the edge ofthe' panelLS is withdrawn from the gripper rolls. When the carriage members ,88 return forthe ne'ikt assembly, the grippers areopened, "as above" described, to receive the leading panel of the wrapper of that assembly. Movement of each of the rear box holders 2 fromthe raisedposition of Figs. 9 and 10 to the, lowered'position of Figs. 7 and 8,'is effected by mechanism including channel bar I26 which're- 2o ceives a'roller I21 (Fig; 10A)' carried by supporting arm 93 of the gripper: the slot or groove in] bar I26serves as afguide or trackway for roller I21. Accordingly: when bar I28 is in the upper position shown in Figs. 9 and ',10, 'the arm 33 is retained thereby in its upper position to hold the rearbox holder 2 in raisedposition; when the bar I26 is in its lower position, the arm 33 is retained in its lower position, Figs.*-7'and 8. f

Bar l 26 is-supported at its opposite ends by pivotal connection at I29 and I30 to the arms I3I, I32 of the bell crank levers I34,' 'l351pivota1ly mounted at opposite ends of the frame 22. It is understoodgof course, that with frame 2| thereis associated a, corresponding pair of-bell-crank le- 35 vers identified by similar reference characters for supporting another bar I26 operable to raise and lower the rear 'box holder 2 associated with the carriage 88 reciprocable along frame 2I-. Each pair'of bell-crank levers I34, I35 is connected by 40 a link I36 for'fe ffecting their operation-in unison to raise andlower'one of the guide bars I28 while' I maintaining the bar substantially parallel to the 88. 5 The bell ends ofxthe frames 2| and; 22 are'slidably keyed to the shaft I3'I' supported at its opposite ends,

loosely mounted on shaft 20 and whose other arm is connected by alink to arm I pivotally mounted on pin I8', Fig.4, and carrying a cam 5 follower I42 received bya cam slot or, groove in the face of the cam I43 attached to shaftl'l;

' Thecam' I43 is constructed to lift the guide bars I 28 before return movement of the box ho1ders'2 from the position shown in Fig. 8 over the conveyor surface Q, thus to permit feed of the next assembly by conveyor C to thetr'ansfer station during the return stroke of the box trans fercar'riage; the rear box holders 2 remainln their upperposition'un'til after the side walls of 6 the box have been j'erected' by cooperation of. jpalni i 'with the fifrontbox holders Then, Tunder control of" cam I43,= the bars I26 are "low-' cred; substantially concurrently, the'carriage's 88 .underthe control of the intermittent gears III|,;

0' I08, Fig. 6, move'fo'rwa'rd so that the two rear box holders 2 move downwardly to engage the rear corners of the box structure and forwardly to push the box structurefrom the position shownin Fig.l0 tofthe position shown in'Fig. '7;

75- The box structure, whether it be a stayed box or -sembly downwardly 'fromthe position shown-in path of travel of the associated carriagemember -crank levers'l3 4, I34 at the forward I Fig. 4, by the frame'inemb'ers'29 and 30 of the wrapping machine. The lever I38 attached to one end'of shaft I31, Figs.1 and 4, is connected,

by link I38 to one arm of a. bell-crank lever I48 an unstayed box, is therefore firmly held by the four box holders in precise. alignment with the form block to which it is transferred as above described by further forward movement of I the carriages 88.

After an assembly, comprising a box structure and partially applied wrapper, has been received supporting block 64 for the side palm 6 is adjusted, as previously described, along the bar 55;

--and the pivotal connection of. the supporting by the form block of the wrapping machine, the

additional sheet-applying operations may be effected in any desired manner or by any desired ening the clamping, bolts 89, setting the holders mechanism. In the particular double-plunger machine shown, the downward movementof the form block F from the position shown in Fig. 8

is effective to clamp the assembly against the platen P. As downward movement of the form block continues, the side panels of the wrapper are applied to the side walls of the box structure by the rolls I44, Fig. 1, and are wiped into more intimate engagement therewith by the brushes I45, I45. As the form block F approaches the lower limit of its stroke. it positions the partially wrapped box within the box holders of a reciprocating carriage I46 which, after the ascending form block F clears the box, moves to the right, Fig. l, to position th partially wrapped box in the path of movement of a second form block Fl and to move out of the machine a comarm 62 for the palm 6 to the link-GI is.correspondingly adjusted; also as above described; the position of the front .boxholders- I, withrespect to their respective carriages, is modifled by loosto their proper position, andthenretightening the bolts 89, all as'previously described. 1 g

The rear holders 2 are adjusted by loosening the clamping bolts I63, Fig. 10A, and sliding the supporting plates 92 to proper position; bolts I63 are then retlghtened. 1

To adjust the grippers lIIi to suit boxes of various depths, the stops I23 are adjusted to obpletely wrapped box stripped from the form block FI in its prior cycle of operation.

As the form block Fl descends from the position shown in Fig. 1, supplemental sheet-applying operations are performed upon the box and wrapper assembly by the rolls I41, which apply the end panels of the wrapper to the end walls of the box, by the marginal turn-in tools I48, and by the pressing tools I49. As the form block Fl ascends to the position shown in. Fig. 1, the

box which is ejected from the machine by the carriage I46 as it transfers the next assembly to be completed.

strippers I50 remove the completely wrapped The reciprocation of the form blocks F and Fl, the operation of the various sheet-applying tools disposed along their paths of movement,

' and the reciprocation of the transfer carriage I46, are all derived from the barrel cams I52, I53 driven from a suitable source of power, not shown, through the one-cycle clutch mechanism I54; the barrel cams I52, I53 are connected by suitable gearing to make one revolution for each cycle of the machine. 1, from which all movements of the transfer mechanism BF is derived, and the bevel gear I55 secured to the barrel cam I52 is such that shaft 1 makes one revolution for each cycle of the machine. This gearing, as shown in Fig.5, may

The gearing between shaft include the bevel gears I56, I51, attached to shaft I58 supported by the fram of the machine, respectively engaging the gear I55 and gear I60 attached to shaft I.

For a more complete description of the con.

struction and operation of the two-plunger wrapping machine W, reference is made to aforesaid Bailey Patent #2,1l9,980.,

To adjust the box transfer mechanism BF to suit boxes of different length, the frames 2|, 22 are moved toward or away from the center line Z--Z, Fig. 4. In the preferred arrangement shown, the frames are adjusted individually toward or away from each other by rotation of the cranks IEI secured to shafts I62 whlch pass throughthe frame members 29, 30 of the wrapping machine and threadably engage the side frames 2| and 22, respectively. To suit themechanism BF for boxes of different width, the

"tain the desired spacing between box holders I,

Fig. 8, and they grippers.

WhatIclaimis: f

1. A system for applying sheet material tounstayed boxes comprising a movablefor'rn block, sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith, a conveyor for transporting unstayed boxes, mechanism for erecting walls of an unstayed box on said conveyor, and. means, for transferring each of the unstayed boxes in turn from said conveyor into the path of said form block, in-

eluding members embracing'the corners formed by aforesaid erection of box walls and cooperate ing 'to hold the walls erect during the transfer.

' 2. A system for applying sheet material'to unstayed'boxes comprising a movable formblock, sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith,

a conveyor for transporting unstayed boxes, mechanism for erecting adjoining walls of an unstayed box on said conveyor, structure movable towardsaid conveyor to'hold a box against it during erection of its'aforesaid walls by said mechanism, and means operable after movement 4. Asystem for applying sheet material to unstayed boxes comprising a movable form block, sheet-applying mechanism. associated therewith,

- a conveyor for transporting said boxes, structure -movable above said conveyor toward and away from the path of said form block, mechanism for erecting all walls of an unstayed box on said conveyor below the path of said structure, and

members depending from said structure jointly to surround and hold the box with .its walls erect during transfer of the box by said structure into the path of said formv block.

5. A system for transporting boxesinto the path of a'form block comprising a conveyor for boxes, stop structure engaging a box on the conveyor beyond position of alignmentwith the formblock, mechanism for moving said stop structure to predetermined extent to return the box to said position of alignment; and structure movable transversely of the conveyor for y 6. A system for transporting engaging the aligned box and moving it-into said Path..w

unstayed boxes into the path of a form block-comprising a con- -veyor for the boxes, movable stop structurelfor engaging a box on the conveyor beyond position of alignment with the form block, a wall-erect ing member, mechanism 'for moving said stop structure to return the boxto said position of alignment and concurrently moving said membox on said conveyor, another set of'members depending from said structure adapted to embrace the rear corners of saidbox, and mechanism effecting movement of the members of one vof said sets toward said conveyor and toward the members of the other set to clamp upon the "box to be transferred from the conveyor, retainber toward said stop structure to eflect erection of opposite walls of the box, and structure movable transversely of the conveyor for engaging the aligned box and Imoving it, with its walls *er ect,into said path. v

7, A, system for applying sheet material to members movable toward each other to erect a pair of 'opposite'walls of an unstayed box, struc- 'ture movable towardand away from said form block, a pair of box-engaging members extending from said structure, a member movable toward said box-engaging members and coact ing therewith to erect another pair of opposite walls of the box,'and another pair of box-engaging members extendingv from said structure and co actinglwith said first-named pair of .box-engag ing members to hold the box with its walls erect during movement of said pairs ofbox-engaging members with said. structure toward the form "block. A

8, A system for transporting unstayed boxes into the path of a form block comprising a conveyor for unstayed boxes, movable stop structure for engaging an unstayed box on the conveyor beyond. position of alignment with the. form block, mechanism formoving said step to pre-' determined extent to return the box to said position. of alignment, mechanism for erecting t above the conveyor for transporting the-aligned 'box, with all of its .walls held erect, into said path.

' 9. A system for applying sheet material to box structures comprising a movable form block,

sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith,

and means for transferring assemblies, each comprising a box structure and sheet material partially applied thereto, to said form block including carriage structure movable towardand away from said" form block and having depending therefrom clamping members movable r'elatively to each other to embrace box corners formed byerect'walls 10f said box structure.

10. Mechanism for transferring boxes from a conveyor into the path of a form block comprising carriage structure reciprocable above and transversely of said conveyor, box-clamping members depending from said carriage structure "adapted to embrace a box on said conveyor, and

mechanism controlling relative movement of said with a box to be transferred from the conveyor to be transferred by any of said members during 7 theirreturn with said .ca'rriage structure.

11. Mechanism for transferring boxes from a 'conveyor into the path of a form block 'cornprising carriage structure reciprocable above 'un'stayed boxes. compiising amov'able form block,

sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith,

ing said members in clamping position until after said form block has. removed the transferred box from therebetween, and effecting re verse" movement of the members of said one of said sets for return of said carriage structure to avoid obstruction byorto the box next to be transferred thereby.

12. A system comprising sheet-applying mechanism, a conveyor for transporting adjacent said mechanism assemblies each comprising a box structure and sheet material partially applied thereto, and means for transferring the assembliesin turn from said conveyor to said sheet applying mechanism'comprising carriage struc 'ture movable transversely of said conveyor, and clamping elements on said carriage structure relatively movable to-embrace box corners formed by the erect walls. of one of said box structures.

unstayed boxes comprising a conveyor for transporting the boxes, a machine adapted to apply sheet material to the boxes, a frame extending from said machine above said conveyor, mechanism supported by said frame including members movable to engage and erect all walls of A walls'of the ali ned box. and structure movable members to' effect their clamping engagement and to'preven't engagement with the box next each unstayed'box upon the conveyor as it in turn arrives below said frame, and a carriage reciprocable on said frame for in turn transferring the unstayed boxes, with their walls erect, from said conveyor to said machine.

14. A- system comprising sheet-applying mechanism, a conveyor for transporting assemblies 7 each comprising box structure attached to sheet material, mechanism for transferring the assemblies from said conveyor to said first-named mechanism andall-ofwhes'e components are disposed above said conveyor to permit unobstructed movement with said conveyor of waste sheet material, and'means adjacent said conveyor and beyond said transfer mechanism for directing said waste sheet material from said conveyor and collecting' it. a

15. An endless conveyor for transporting sheets freshly coated with adhesive toward and beyond an assembly station and for transporting assemblies including said sheets from said station to a transfer station, and a roll at the discharge end of said conveyor for accumulating waste sheets not assembled at said assembly station and transported by the conveyor beyond said tion. g

16. In a system for transferringan unstayed box from a station into'the path of a form block,

transfer stamechanism for erecting walls of a box at said station, and mechanism for transporting the box into said path including members relatively movable to erect other walls of said box.

I .17. A system for transferring an assembly,

comprising an unstayed box and sheet material and transversely of said conveyor, aset of members depending from said carriage structure adapted to embrace the forward corners of a partially applied thereto, from a station into the path of a form block, comprising mechanism at said station for erecting walls of said box, and means for transferring the assembly comprising reciprocating structure, members extending therefrom to embrace the corners of the box to hold Said walls erect during transfer, and means 13.1A system forapplying sheet material to I carried by said structure for gripping the leading unapplied edge of the sheet material to hold it during transfer in predetermined position with respect to the box.

18. A system for transferring from a conveyor an assembly, comprising a box disposed upon sheet material partially applied thereto, which comprises a transfer carriage movable above and away from said conveyor, box-engaging means on cluding a transfer carriage movable above and.

away from said conveyor, box-engaging members depending from said carriage, a sheet-gripping device slidably mounted upon said carriage, means for biasing said device toward said members and to gripping condition, and stop structure for arresting said device and opening it to receive sheet material upon movement of-said carriage toward and over said conveyor, said biasing means, upon reverse movement of said carriage to transfer an assembly from the conveyor, operating said device to grip the leading unapplied ed e of the sheet material and maintain it in predetermined position with respect to its box during the transfer.

20. Mechanism for transferring boxes from a receiving station to a discharge station comprising carriage structure movable above said stations, box-clamping members depending from said structure, and mechanism for effecting relative movement of said members in one direction to effect their clamping engagement with the corners of a box to be transferred from said receiving station and for effecting reverse relative movement thereof for return of said structure to said receiving station without obstruction by or to the box next to be transferred.

21. Mechanism for transferring boxes from a receiving station to a discharge station compris: ing structure movable above said stations, members depending from said structure to embrace trailing corners of the box, structure movable toward the members of one of said pairs to erect opposite walls of the box, structures movable toward each other between said pairs of members to erect other walls of the box, and mechanism controlling relative movement of the members of said pairs firmly to hold the box with its walls erect during its transferby said carriage.

24. Mechanism for transferring boxes from a station comprising a pair of-slides reciprocable above said station and each having a pair of relatively movable box-engaging members depending therefrom, mechanism effectingreciprocation of said slides in unison with each other, and mechanism controlling said pairs of members to effect their clamping 'upon a box at said station for transport therefrom by movement of said slides.

25. Mechanism for transferring boxes from a station comprising a slide reciprocable above said station, a box-engaging member pivotally suspended on said slide, structure extending adjacent the path of movement of said slide and movable to determine the angular position of said member with respect to said slide, and means for actuating said structure in timed relation to reciprocation of said slide to effect engagement of said member with a box at said station prior to movement of the slide therefrom and to position said member to clear 'a box at said station during return of the slide thereto.

26. In apparatus of the character described, a carriage, and means effecting intermittent reciprocation thereof with a dwell at each end of each stroke thereof comprising an endless beltlike member, mechanism imparting to said member unidirectional movement with interruption thereof to provide the dwell of said carriage at one end of its stroke, and means providing the other dwell of said carriage at the other end of its stroke during movement of said member comprising an extensible link connecting said carnamed dwell. I

leading corners of a box, members movably attached to said structure for embracing trailing corners of the box, and mechanism for lowering said movable members while said structure is above said receiving station to cooperate with said first-named members in holding a box for transfer from said receiving station and for lifting said movable members for return of said structure from said discharge station to said re- .ceiving station without obstruction by or to the box next to be transferred. 22. In a system for transferring an unstayed box from a station, mechanism comprising members relatively movable to erect walls of said box at said station; structure for engaging the bottom of said box to prevent its displacement during operation of said wall-erecting mechanism, and means for transferring the box from said station including members embracing corners thereof formed by its erected walls.

23. In a system for transferring an unstayed box from a station, carriage structure movable toward and from said station comprising a pair of members for embracing leading corners of a box and a second pair of members for embracing 27. In apparatus of the character described, structure providing a supporting surface for a box, a pair of frames adjustable toward and from each other above said surface to accommodate boxes of differentsizes, slides reciprocable on said frames, and complementary box-holding mem-' bers carried by and depending from said slides respectively and terminating short of said surface.

28. In apparatus of the character described, structure providing a supporting surface for an unstayed box, a pair of frames adjustable toward and away from each other above said surface, complementary wall-erecting members carried by and depending from said frames, and mechanism carried by said frames for operating said mem bers to erect walls of said box.

29. In apparatus of the character described,

structure providing a supporting surface for an In ai pmfifiar the character described, a

' pair'oi' frames extending onopposite sides of and adjustabletoward and fromaformbl'ock, a car- =riage 'for" transferring bo-x structures into the path of saidform block Comprising reeiprocable porting to a transferstation assemblies each comprising an unstayed box structure and sheet members each carried and guided by one-of said frames, mechanism adjustablewith saidframes comprising members each carried by oneof said material partiaily applied theretmfstructure movable toward said conveyor'to press against it an assembly at said station, and members movable toward each other in timed relation to movement. a of said structure to erect walls of each unstayed 7 box structure while pressed against said conveyor. p

' WALTER T. BAILEY. 

